Life's Sweet Little Miracles

The cool thing about working in an ice cream shop is you get regulars. You see people who come in every week or just every once in a while, and you get little glimpses into their lives. And every once in a while through these glimpses you get to witness a miracle. 


There was a lady that always came in with her little daughter, probably about 3 years old, and she was very pregnant. They always sat together, just the two of them, talking about how they're the greatest pair. A couple weeks ago I saw the lady and her daughter, but this time she wasn't pregnant. She was holding a beautiful baby. Their pair had become a trio, and they never looked happier.


Today a lady came in with her adult daughter. I recognized the daughter more, but I knew that the mom had been with her before. Except the first time, the mom was wearing a scarf around her head because she had cancer or something like it. But today was different; today her hair was growing back. She looked happier and healthier than ever before. I felt honored to be the one to give her ice cream. It seemed too little an act to give such an amazing survivor. 


These people are strangers to me. I don't even know their names. But having the privilege of serving them a scoop of ice cream every once in a while reminds me why I'm here. It reminds me to appreciate the little things in life. It reminds me how God works. He is a God of miracles, and I am honored to be able to witness His work, even if it is just through a local ice cream shop.

The Calm Before and After the Storm

Senior Ball: check. Graduation: check. Family celebrations: check. All the festivities and excitement of the last part of Senior Year are over. The finals, the check-outs, the parties, the milestones. The chaos of having grandparents and siblings and nieces and friends all in my humble little house has ended, and now comes the time to breathe. Well, kind of. 

Now that the last set of grandparents has come and gone, the house is quiet, and it gives me time to think about all of the things ahead. I am now in my last summer before my life changes forever. Soon I'll be packing up my room and heading for Idaho, away from everything I've ever known. 

I know that it's a normal part of life, and many people have gone through it, but living it cannot compare to hearing about it. Maybe I'm making too big a deal out of leaving. Maybe it'll be as easy as everyone says. Either way, the bottom line is: I'm terrified. 

The same fears I had before leaving for Guatemala are creeping back up. I'm beginning to doubt whether this is really what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm afraid people won't like me, or I won't like them. I'm afraid I'll get too homesick and leave before I have the chance to get comfortable there. I'm moving out of my comfort zone, and it's a scary thing to do.

Don't get me wrong, there's definitely excitement about it all. But the fears are there too. This is a new chapter in my life. And I can't stop thinking about everything changing. 

For now, this is the calm, but I can see the storm coming. I just hope I can have the strength to praise Him in the storm.